Devonshire House School is a finalist in two Education Choices Awards: Supporting Sustainability & Working with Local Charities
Supporting Sustainability
At Devonshire House School, sustainability isn’t just an add-on to our curriculum — it’s woven into the very fabric of our school community. From our youngest learners in Nursery to our senior students, everyone plays an active role in championing sustainability.
Students take on leadership roles, such as Eco Ambassadors who educate younger students about recycling, and Waste Warriors, who monitor correct waste disposal at lunchtime.
Sustainability is introduced early in the curriculum, with Nursery students learning about deforestation and plastic pollution through storytelling and hands-on activities like creating posters encouraging waste reduction. As students progress, they take part in active projects, including litter-picking and Switch It Off Fortnight, which encourage them to track energy usage and waste reduction. These projects give students practical experience in environmental stewardship and foster a deeper understanding of how their actions contribute to broader sustainability goals.
Repair Week and Sewing Club teach students about reducing textile waste by repairing clothes rather than discarding them. This initiative encourages creative problem-solving and highlights the importance of reusing and extending the life of materials.
Finally, our school promotes walking and cycling to school, or when not possible, to use Park and Stride through different initiatives such as Walk to School Week and Bikeability courses. These initiatives encourage students and families to opt for more sustainable modes of transport, reducing congestion and air pollution around the school.
Working with Local Charities
Through different projects across the year, children at Devonshire House are encouraged to take action for our local community.
Cards of Care
Since 2019, Devonshire House has collaborated with Nicci Menashe and a local charity to ensure that elderly residents in local care homes receive handmade festive cards during the holiday season. This initiative was created to address the loneliness many elderly individuals experience during Christmas, bringing warmth and connection through small, thoughtful gestures from our pupils. Each year, around 380 cards from Devonshire House School are sent to 11 different local care homes including Magnolia Court Care Home, Henderson Court Care Home, and Spring Grove Care Home.
Support of Camden Foodbank
Devonshire House School is dedicated to supporting those in need within our local community, and one of the keyways we do this is through our ongoing partnership with Camden Foodbank. This initiative helps to address food insecurity in our area, providing families and individuals in crisis with essential food supplies. Through year-round collections and educational opportunities, the school ensures that our pupils not only give back but also understand the importance of community support and social responsibility. Different fundraising across the year for Camden Food Bank counted over £1,000 of donations from our community or over 450 toys for Christmas. Older students also visit the foodbank to develop a deeper understanding of the logistics involved in providing for those in need and the importance of community action.
Winter Coat Collection
In collaboration with a local estate agent, this initiative encourages families to donate gently used coats that are no longer needed, providing a sustainable solution while supporting individuals in need. Over the years, the project has grown – over 100 coats donated – becoming an annual school tradition that underscores both social responsibility and environmental consciousness. Pupils gain an understanding of how small actions, when multiplied across the school community, can have a significant impact on others.
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If you are interested in joining Devonshire House School, don’t hesitate to contact us here.
